He was manager of the Mercantile Bank of India and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Thurburn was the manager of the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London & China.
He was appointed to the Shipping Charges Commission in 1897,[1] the Subsidiary Coinage Committee in 1899,[2] Committee on Registration of Chinese Partners in 1901,[3] and the Committee on Education and Commission of Inquire into Public Works Department in 1902.
In 1900, he was appointed to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong as a representative of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce vice Herbert Smith resigned.
Thurburn was also founding member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1884[4] and Hong Kong Golf Club in 1889.